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New to Market

6 May 2025
Public sector, Creative/Digital/Media

NEW TO THE MARKET: 5-9 MAY 2025

• Heidrick & Struggles has launched a new Government & Defense Tech Practice, aimed at serving the growing demand for technology leadership within public sector organisations. With governments estimated to account for 10% of global technology and IT services spending, the firm sees this as a significant market opportunity. The practice consolidates the company’s experience from over 200 engagements to provide leadership solutions for organisations delivering technology to national, state and local governments worldwide.

The new practice will support clients by offering leadership search, development and organisational effectiveness services. It brings together more than 30 experienced partners across sectors such as IT services, aerospace and defence, energy and private equity, operating globally across North America, Europe, Asia and Australia. The initiative addresses the increasing reliance of governments on advanced technologies like AI, cloud infrastructure, cybersecurity and robotics.

• Workforce management solutions firm Matrix has supported more than 10,000 individuals across the UK into employment between March 2024 and April 2025 through its Social Value team. The efforts focused on a wide range of community initiatives, including employability workshops, career guidance and volunteering opportunities. These programmes were designed to help students, jobseekers and public sector employees gain essential skills and access new career pathways.

• UK start-up Project Brains has launched ProdigyPB, an AI-powered platform designed to revolutionise job description creation and recruitment. Tailored for SMEs, growing businesses, and HR teams, ProdigyPB helps define precise hiring needs by aligning job roles with specific business challenges. The tool generates clear, bias-free job descriptions in seconds and enables users to engage with vetted fractional specialists from Project Brains’ talent pool, according to a company statement. ProdigyPB is currently available in Beta across the UK.

28 April 2025
Life sciences, Engineering

NEW TO THE MARKET: 28 APRIL-2 MAY 2025

• Jobmatch Sweden, a leader in occupational psychological testing, is expanding in Norway through a new partnership with consulting firm Sund Raad. Sund Raad, which focuses on enhancing employee engagement for small and medium-sized businesses, will integrate Jobmatch’s DNV-certified Talent test into its services. This marks Jobmatch’s second partnership in Norway, following its 2022 collaboration with Hapro Jobb og Karriere. Jobmatch Talent is a scientifically validated tool used for recruitment and employee development, according to the company press release.

• STEM recruitment specialist Matchtech has launched STEM Futures, a free, on-demand employability platform aimed at helping young people break into engineering and technology careers. The programme includes expert-led sessions on job search strategies, CV writing, interviews and personal development, and is part of Matchtech’s broader initiative to address the STEM skills gap and support emerging talent.

In addition, Matchtech has awarded the first two grants from its Materna Fund, a £2.5k bursary created to support engineering students facing financial hardship. The inaugural recipients, Sergio Carreno Vargas and David Sarembock from the University of Portsmouth, are using the funds to focus on their studies and development without the added pressure of financial strain.

• Meet Life Sciences has launched Synergy, a new standalone service designed to tackle people capability challenges in the life sciences sector that go beyond recruitment. As part of Meet’s evolution into a full-service talent solutions partner, Synergy offers tailored support in areas like workforce planning, leadership development, skills mapping, culture embedding and organisational design. Led by vice-president Kirsty Wilson, the service is built specifically for the life sciences industry and is focused on delivering measurable, outcome-driven solutions. Unlike traditional consulting, Synergy provides hands-on support from design through to implementation, helping clients build the capability needed to grow, adapt and lead in a competitive global market.

• Right Management, part of ManpowerGroup, has launched a refreshed brand strategy called ‘The Right Way’. It’s a human-centred, data-backed framework that aligns workforce development with business strategy. The new identity centres on ‘The Right Way loop’, a distinctive visual element with modern colours and typography that will be used across all brand touchpoints.

25 April 2025
Construction & property, Graduates/Apprentices/School leavers

National student lettings agency launches apprenticeship scheme

In a bid to support young people and grow skilled and knowledgeable individuals for the student lettings sector, loc8me recently launched its 18-month programme, which is open to anyone aged 16-18. The scheme will offer hands-on experience, mentorship and the opportunity to engage in paid work.

Raffaele Russo, founder of loc8me, said: “We’re thrilled to launch this apprenticeship programme, giving young professionals a real chance to learn, grow and begin building a career in an exciting industry.

“Now more than ever, young people are seeking opportunities, guidance and goals to pursue. With this programme, we’re investing in their future – and in the future of the lettings sector.”

Apprentices will have the chance to study the theoretical and practical elements of the lettings industry, and on starting, they will be given a mentor from the loc8me team to support their development via regular meetings throughout the course.

loc8me now operates in 13 major university cities across the UK, including Loughborough, Durham, Nottingham, Manchester, Leeds, Cardiff, Newcastle, Birmingham, Liverpool, Leicester, Hull, Bath and Bristol.

Freya Watson-Russo, academy co-ordinator, said: "At loc8me, we’re committed to nurturing the next generation of letting agents. … We’re giving young people the chance to build a future, gain confidence and carve their own path.”

Founded in 2008 by Russo, loc8me manages more than 2,500 properties and employs more than 75 staff members.

(L-r) Apprentice Ollie Coe, loc8me's marketing assistant and academy co-ordinator Freya Watson-Russo and apprentice Isabel Tebbutt ©loc8me

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14 April 2025
Creative/Digital/Media, Engineering

NEW TO THE MARKET: 14-18 APRIL 2025

• Manufacturing and engineering specialist Busy Bee Recruitment has relaunched its website. The refreshed online platform has a modern design and enhanced user functionality, offering an intuitive browsing experience that makes it easier than ever to explore current vacancies, submit CVs quickly and securely, access expert recruitment advice via a blog and submit vacancies directly online.

• Deel, a global payroll and HR provider, has launched a suite of AI-driven products to help companies hire, manage, and pay international teams. Deel will offer an all-in-one global workforce platform integrating payroll, HR, and IT, designed to support compliant operations across borders. Key updates include: Real-Time Payroll in over 53 markets (expanding to 130+ by 2027), offering instant calculations and faster processing; Deel PEO for offering top-tier benefits without enterprise-level costs; Benefits Admin for simplified, compliant benefits management across countries; Deel Talent for streamlined recruitment via trusted agency networks; Workforce Planning, Compensation, and Engage tools – powered by AI – for smarter headcount strategy, global pay management, and employee development; IT Lifecycle Management features like MDM, IAM, and EPP, supporting global device and security control.

28 June 2019
Transport & logistics, HR

Proactive managing partner Rubin hopes book will disrupt HR

“Some people in HR will love it, but some won’t like it – but that’s okay,” Ruth Rubin (above) told Recruiter.

Speaking at the public launch of the company’s new branding at the House of St Barnabas, a homeless charity and members’ club in London’s Soho Square last night, Rubin articulated the company’s new mission and spoke about the book. She said the book, entitled Unticked, will be about the ‘Who revolution’, something in which she is a great believer, and which informs Proactive’s philosophy and culture.  

Rubin explained that this approach looks at who the candidate is and at their values, such as altruism, rather than what they have done. She said the reason for the title of the book, which is due to be published next year, is because “I hate tick boxes” [the tick-box approach and the associated red tape prevalent in many HR departments]. 

Rubin said there was a strong link between altruism and those who performed well in the sort of customer-facing jobs in which the company specialises. Many of the company’s clients are rail to whom it supplies staff to work in customer-facing roles at stations. It also recently won a contract to provide Thames Clippers, the company that operates ferries on the Thames, with customer-facing staff. 

Rubin said that unlike the usual approach taken by many HR departments, “we look at the gaps in people’s CVs. Someone who has a three-year gap in their CV to look after their mother could be showing that altruism”.

Unticked will also highlight other practices that Rubin believes stop companies missing out on talent. She said one such practice was requiring candidates applying for a role that requires great customer-facing skills “to pass a maths test”. “Both employers and companies could be missing a trick,” said Rubin.

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24 June 2019
Engineering, Construction & property

Hudson Freelance launches ahead of private sector off-payroll rules

Legislation around IR35 reforms states that construction firms with more than 50 employees, a turnover of £10.2m or assets of £5.2m must comply with the new rules, which serve to define off-payroll working in a bid to crack down on so-called ‘disguised employment’ by April 2020.

Ian Anfield, managing director of Hudson Contract, says: “If HMRC decides highly paid consultants are actually employees, the potential liabilities could be disastrous. 

“Many businesses have already taken the decision to cull their off-payroll staff, thinking it’s better to be safe than sorry, even though it could harm their growth prospects. We have launched Hudson Freelance to eliminate the risk of continuing to use consultants once the rules change.”

• Comment below on this story. You can also tweet us to tell us your thoughts or share this story with a friend. Our editorial email is [email protected]

24 June 2019
Marketing, IT/Telecoms, HR

NEW TO THE MARKET: 24-28 JUNE 2019

• Edinburgh-headquartered IT recruiter Cathcart Associates has expanded its operations in Thailand’s thriving tech hub of Bangkok, doubling its headcount, moving into a new office and offering new career opportunities for staff. The expansion sees the firm move to the city’s Mercury Tower, a space four times bigger than their previous location.

Nick Macdougall, managing consultant for Cathcart Associates in Thailand, said: “Looking to the future, we expect Bangkok to become our headquarters for the whole of South-East Asia as we ramp up our activity into neighbouring countries.”

• Pioneer Search, a specialist technology recruiter in London, has opened two new divisions. Jonathan Magee will be heading up the new data & analytics team, while Pratap Vara and Gavin O’Reilly will head up the new cyber security & cloud team.

The development is part of a move by Pioneer Search to refocus its brand on the core areas of specialism. Technology has always been a main focus, but with the proliferation of AI and cloud, it was important to recognise this and the growing demand for these skills.

• Talent marketing solutions provider Symphony Talent has launched an analytics tool in its Experience Cloud (XCLOUD) platform, which provides a holistic view of all touchpoints in the candidate journey.

• External talent intelligence provider Talent Intuition has launched Stratigens, a new online platform for HR directors that uses big data to help companies make informed strategic decisions.

Talent Intuition partnered with technology developers and consultants OJO Solutions on the project. The platform pulls together data points from the global talent market so it can inform location decisions, expansion plans or highlight where consolidation would be most commercially effective, based on the available skills base in a location.

17 June 2019
Public sector, Creative/Digital/Media, Education, Engineering, Construction & property, Banking/Financial services, Charity & not-for-profit, Legal, Industrial/Manufacturing, IT/Telecoms

NEW TO THE MARKET: 17-21 JUNE 2019

• Education and training providers from across the UK will soon be able to access tutorials and visual resources on spotting the signs of modern slavery and how to report suspicions to the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority.

The resources have been designed by staff and students at Boston College, Lincolnshire, who were involved in a pilot project where the GLAA has teamed up with the college to embed the subject of labour abuse across its range of academic and vocational courses.

The resources will soon be available on the GLAA's website.

• Job search engine Jobrapido is opening a UK office in London headed up by sales director for UK and Ireland Ryan Bridgman.

The firm is also opening its first office in Boston in the US next month, which will be headed up by Matthew Ferdenzi and will be specialise in artificial intelligence and machine learning roles. 

• Specialist provider of tech and cyber-security staffing solutions La Fosse Associates has launched a pro bono recruitment and advisory practice to help charities combat the threat of a cyber-attack on their organisations.

La Fosse Pro Bono will operate with charities throughout the UK.

• Public sector and charity staffing specialist Morgan Hunt has opened a second Scottish office, located in central Glasgow.

• Technology and software staffing specialist Understanding Recruitment is opening an office in St Albans, Hertfordshire, this week.

The new office is headed by founding directors Chris Jackson and Dale Swords.

• The West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) is running a series of roadshows, aimed at unemployed people and those wanting to get a better job and to explain what training courses are on offer in the West Midlands, as the WMCA takes control of the region’s £126m adult education budget.

The events, featuring staff from colleges, training providers and job advisors, will focus on the region’s fastest-growing economies, including digital, construction, advanced manufacturing and engineering, and on business and professional services. Roadshows are scheduled for June and July in Birmingham, Coventry, Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull, Walsall and Wolverhampton.

• Colchester-based SAP, Oracle and IT specialist recruiter Whitehall Resources has opened an office in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The group says there is increased demand for its services in the region.

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